CHAPTER 3

Duncan had expected grief, anger and vows of revenge from the youngest Cousland. He had expected to have had to knock her out and carry her out of the castle when the realization of what was happening hit her. He had expected to deal with her wrath when she came too.

None of that was what he got however.

Briar allowed him to lead her so far down the passageway before sliding her arm from his grasp and unsheathing her Dar'Misu'. Behind them, Draven followed just as quiet and stealthily as they.

Unnoticed, they had slipped through enemy lines and disappeared into the night.

Duncan was for sure that after they had crossed the boundary that marked the Cousland land, the agony would come.

***

Briar had plenty of agony to go around, grief for all and a desire for vengeance that could have drowned all in its path were it an ocean. But… for all her pain and suffering, she had learned her mother's pragmatism in only hours.

Her grieving could be channeled and used against the Darkspawn. Her vengeance would have to wait, she knew eventually, one day she would get her chance at Rendon Howe and when it came; Maker have mercy on his soul for she would not.

In the space of a night, where once a girl on the cusp of adulthood stood was now a woman with more bitterness and heartbreak than most would ever know.

The journey to Ostagar was not a quick one, Highever was located on Ferelden's northern coast while Ostagar was a few weeks journey south, near the Kocari Wilds. Weeks if they traveled fast and skipped making camp.

Instead of stopping in villages and staying in inns or pitching a tent, they took turns sleeping in the one bedroll Duncan possessed. One would sleep, the other stand guard.

They had stopped only once and that was only to pick up supplies. They could have stopped to hunt for their food but that would have meant also stopping to skin and then build a fire to prepare it and time was short.

So instead, Duncan had purchased dried meats –jerky, and flat, unleavened bread that would be edible for weeks –if not bland and dry. Some health poultices and Briar had used what little money she had left to buy a wooden pestle and mortar along with a set of vials.

When Duncan had asked what they were for –though she had a sneaking suspicion he already knew-, she had flatly told him she had seen deathroot growing alongside the roads and wanted to make a poison to coat her blades in.

Walking was boring. The monotony was occasionally broken up by bandits, though they usually only ran three to four a pack, easily dispatched.

A noblewoman would have fretted about sleeping on the hard ground; with only a bedroll protecting her from the dirt and who knew what else. She would have worried about lecherous advances from the Grey Warden.

Briar did neither. When she slept; she was grateful to lie on the bedroll Duncan provided; slipping into the blissful oblivion unconsciousness offered her. She didn't worry about anything inappropriate concerning Duncan simply because she knew instinctively that he wasn't one of those men.

The first few days, Duncan didn't try to make small talk, or speak at all for that matter; unless absolutely necessary.

That was fine with Briar, she needed the silence; she needed to focus inward and channel all her emotions; knowing if she didn't she would turn right around and hunt down that dog Howe and gut him. It wasn't easy though, Oren's little face floated around her mind, even her sister-in-law's. She could still see her dying father and hear her mother's final farewell.

"Goodbye darling."

No, running off in pursuit of Rendon Howe would only get her killed, then her family would never be avenged. She was a skilled Rogue, she would wait and bide her time. Maybe not tomorrow nor even next month, but eventually, they would meet again.

And he would feel all her wrath then.

Day three Duncan began speaking to her and Briar felt like she had found… well, not a parent but perhaps a mentor. He quizzed her on so many things; it almost felt like she was back in Highever with Aldous, her old teacher.

Politics, not so much as what was going on in the country but how to navigate throughout certain… situations, matters of estate. History, mainly focused around Blights, of the Grey Wardens. Fighting, her skills and where she had learned them, her accomplishments on the lists.

Day seven he began teaching her; filling in the gaps of her education with what he deemed needed for a Grey Warden, which was a lot as Briar found out.

He had taught her the Grey Warden motto.

In war, victory

In peace, vigilance

In death, sacrifice

He had taught her that as a Grey Warden she swore allegiance to no king or empire, but to her duty. He told her of the Right of Conscription and explained that here in Fereldon it was used only sparingly as the Grey Wardens had only been admitted back into the empire recently and were still viewed with suspicion and indeed, hostility.

He had explained, gently, that upon joining the Grey Wardens they forfeited claims to titles. Which meant that providing she survived whatever was looming, she would no longer be Lady Cousland of Highever, simply Briar.

At first, it was a bit heartbreaking to know that while she might return to her family's home –providing there was anything left to return too- but as a visitor, a guest but not a Cousland heir. Then… it was a relief. All the things that had been expected of her, the mundane; boring things… such as a making a suitable marriage and producing several more Couslands, that no longer was in her future.

As silly and shallow as it was, that made Briar happy.

Duncan had also pressed into her something that she would never forget: A Grey Warden does whatever it took to win; to perform their duty. Whatever.

No matter the cost.

Considering she had nothing worth losing, Briar wasn't unduly worried about that.

***

"Duncan, do you think Fergus is here?"

Duncan glanced down at his traveling companion then back to the road; the ruins of Ostagar looming over them. "I don't see why he wouldn't be." He said finally, nodding to a guard who then waved up to the wall; the gates being pushed open from the inside. "Though the chances of finding him… are slim."

There were soldiers everywhere, and as Briar frantically searched the faces for her brother, she knew Duncan was right. Finding Fergus wouldn't be an easy feat, providing she had the time to even begin contemplating where to look. Instead, she resigned herself to her impending fate; following Duncan up the slightly steep hill; finally raising her eyes to the people who seemed to be awaiting them.

It took only an instant to recognize King Cailan, not because she knew him personally, but she had seen him five years previous at his wedding; he hadn't change so very much.

He shone resplendent in his golden armor, his pale blond hair hanging almost to his shoulders; a days worth of beard covering his face.

"Ho there, Duncan!" He called, shrugging away from the guards trailing him and covered ground until he stood before the Grey Warden.

"King Cailan." Duncan's tone showed his surprise, taking the King's hand when offered. "I didn't expect a-"

"A royal welcome?" Cailan asked with a wry grin; obviously filled with admiration for the Grey Warden. "I was beginning to worry you'd miss all the fun."

Briar managed to suppress a snort.

Duncan didn't seem to find it that amusing either though he wasn't so obvious about it. "Not if I could help it, your Majesty."

Cailan seemed elated. "Then I'll have the mighty Duncan by my side in battle after all." He inhaled deeply, satisfaction seeming to ooze from him. "Glorious."

Duncan glanced at Briar, his eyebrows drawing together in a scowl when he seen the open disdain on her face.

When Cailan glanced at her however, Briar's features were composed into a blank mask.

"The other Grey Warden's told me you found a promising new recruit. I take it this is she?"

Briar managed a semblance of a smile when Cailan moved to stand before her, seeing recognition flaring in his eyes.

"Allow me to introduce you-"

"No need, Duncan." Cailan waved an airy hand at him. "You are Bryce's youngest, are you not? I don't think we've ever actually met."

"Yes, I am, your Majesty." She said evenly. "I bring important news."

"Is this about your father? Your brother has been concerned about him."

A momentary twinge of pain flickered through Briar's cobalt eyes, her mouth becoming pinched. "He's not coming. He died when the castle was taken." She said tersely.

"Dead?" Cailan echoed, disbelief and shock vying for control of his face. "What do you mean dead? Duncan, do you know anything about this?"

"Teyrn Cousland and his wife are dead, your Majesty. Arl Howe has shown himself a traitor and taken over Highever Castle." Duncan said grimly. "Had we not escaped, he would have killed us and told you any story he wished."

Cailan had turned his back to them, shaking his head. "I… I can scarcely believe it. How could he think he could get away with such treachery? As soon as we are done here, I will turn my army north and bring Howe to justice." He turned back around, staring down intently at Briar. "You have my word."

Briar nodded once. "Thank you, your Majesty."

There was a moment of awkward silence before Cailan cleared his throat; looking apologetic. "No doubt you wish to see your brother,"

Her face lit up.

His fell. "But unfortunately he and a party are scouting in the wilds."

"When will he return?" She asked quietly, feeling the heavy burden of what had happened as well as what was coming returning to rest on her shoulders.

Cailan hesitated for only a fraction of a second. "You will see him again once the battle is over."

Her cupid's bow mouth turned down into a frown.

"I apologize but there's nothing more that I can do." To his credit, Cailan both looked and sounded sorry. "All I can suggest is that you vent your grief against the Darkspawn for the time being."

"Thank you, your Majesty." The words sounded flat, even to her but she couldn't help herself. The only thing that kept Briar from screaming at him was her mother's voice in her mind, reminding her that she was a noble and nobles did not scream at their King.

No matter how much they wished.

"I'm sorry to cut this short but I must return to my tent. Loghain waits eagerly to bore me with his strategy."

Briar fell silent as Duncan once more filled in the lapse of conversation, listening as he enquired after what had been happening, of the Darkspawn. Somehow, she wasn't surprised when Cailan made reference to the fact that he didn't consider this to be a true Blight, actually sounding forlorn over the fact.

By the end of the brief meeting, Briar had determined that while kind hearted, the King was nothing more than a simpleton.

Once the king and his retinue had crossed the long stone bridge –the King's highway-, Duncan gestured for Briar to follow; clasping his hands behind his back as they walked. He briefed her in on what had happened before her recruitment as well as his personal belief that this was indeed a Blight and that there was in fact an awakened Archdemon.

Which sent a shiver of fear and something else, something she couldn't quite describe, down her spine.

At the end of the 'highway', he stopped her and gestured towards the forked path, one direction leading to what looked like the general encampment, the other towards a more quiet, though still very busy camp. It took but a moment for her to spot the royal pennants fluttering in the breeze, beyond that several domed tents forming a circle from which a crackling of lightening seemed to be emanating.

Mages, she thought quickly, knowing where there were Mages there were also Templars and no doubt Chantry.

"I have to go see to that everything is prepared for the Joining," Duncan announced, shaking his head when she opened her mouth. "I would tell you more if I could, Briar, but I'm afraid I cannot. Explore camp for a bit if you like, get a hot meal and if you should happen across a young man by the name of Alistair, inform him to report to me."

Briar watched as Duncan strode off, feeling like she had been left with more questions than answers and sighed; glancing towards the soldier's camp and knew there was no way she was going in there; she had no reason too, Fergus was out in the wilds.

Sighing, she glanced down at Draven who was standing at her side; his short tail wagging furiously as he took in all the new sights, sounds and smells. "Shall we go find this Alistair, then?" She asked, not surprised when he barked and set off; ignoring some of the more curious looks she got, knowing she could probably use a bath and a full night's rest opposed to just a few hours here and there.

When Draven took the lead, Briar just followed; keeping her eyes forward and head erect.

She was a Cousland and Cousland's did not show weakness to outsiders.